ALMA UK: Opportunities and Benefits of International Working

Nick Poole, CEO, Collections Trust20/03/2014

Aims for today

• Introduce the Collections Trust• Review benefits & opportunities of international

work• Explore the role of UK Professional Standards• Identify EC Funding Opportunities• Identify strengths/weaknesses/opportunities/threats• Discuss the role of National Agencies• Answer your questions!• Benefit from your ideas

Collections Trust

UK & international professional association for people working with Collections & Technology

Key strategic aims:

•Develop the Collections workforce•Advocate the value of good Collections Management•Build Digital Capacity•Connect the public with Collections•Deliver an excellent organisation

International Strategy

Established in 2008, our International Strategy is to:

•Import knowledge, expertise and professional practice from overseas & share it with the UK community

•Export UK knowledge & expertise to other countries

•Develop international partnerships & seek opportunities for international investment/projects

International highlights

Network of 23,000 museums, libraries, archives & hybrid organisations using the UK SPECTRUM standard

EUR20m in successful European Commission projects since 2007

Commercial partnerships with 14 overseas/international companies

Chair of the Europeana Network, 900 Creative & Cultural Industry Partners across Europe

International partnerships

Smithsonian Institution, USASouth African Heritage Resources Agency, South AfricaFinnish Heritage Association, FinlandSwedish Heritage Board, SwedenNorwegian Arts Council, NorwayPinacoteca do Estado & SESC, Sao Paolo, BrazilGerman Museums Association, GermanyRijksdiesnt Cultureel Erfgoed, Amersfoort, NetherlandsMinistere de la Culture et Communication, France

UK culture worldwide

The UK is a leading force in the international professional community. We are a net exporter of value, knowledge and expertise.

Agencies and institutions worldwide look to our standards and best practices to develop their own cultural infrastructure.

However, working internationally still represents a significant investment risk for most UK cultural heritage institutions.

UK cultural exports

• Professional standards• Collections & collections-related knowledge• Digital cultural content• Creative ideas• Exhibitions• Technical expertise• Skilled people

Professional standards

• The UK Museum Accreditation Scheme is used as a baseline by the international community

• SPECTRUM is recognised as the de facto industry standard for Collections Management

• The Government Indemnity Scheme guidelines (along with the AAM Environmental Standard) define loans & environmental practice worldwide

• UK expertise is regularly sought for participation in ISO/CEN/Euronorm standards development

EC Funding 2008-14

• Creative Europe programme has funded EURm in cultural exchange/exhibitions

• ICT Policy Support Programme has invested EUR11m in 19 UK organisations since 2011

• “What the EC can’t legislate for, it funds...”

• A strong focus on promoting European/Enlightenment values, economic growth and soft diplomacy

EC Funding 2014-2020

• Horizon 2020 is an EUR80bn 6-year funding programme

• Focussed on smart, sustainable growth by connecting culture, SME, innovation & academia

• Opportunities in 2014 limited, but become significant in 2015

• JPI Cultural Heritage funding large-scale cultural heritage research & innovation

SWOT

Strengths

•Language•Quality of collections & stewardship•Established sector standards•Leading global cultural brands•Leading Museum Studies courses•Early-adopter advantage w technology

Weaknesses

•Lack of Government support•Insularity•Highly diversified sector•Complex labour/immigration laws•Lack of visa exemptions•Lack of financial support to mitigate investment risk

Opportunities

•New collaborative partnerships•Driving inward investment & tourism•Importing professional expertise•Exporting unused capacity•Opening up new knowledge about collections

Threats

•Under-investment in professional standards undermines leadership•Too many small players invest without a clear ROI•Austerity leads to ‘batten down the hatches’ mentality

Benefits of international work

• New perspectives & energy• Valuing a currently under-valued asset• Continuing Professional Development• New insights into Collections• New investment/funding opportunities• New revenue streams• Audience development• PR value with stakeholders

The role of National Agencies

• Identify ‘International’ as an opportunity

• Combat the Small Island(s) mentality

• Provide strategic & financial support to underwrite the risk of international engagement

• Long-term developmental support, not short-term engagement support

• Engage with British Council, UKTI & BIS to open up advocacy & opportunities

Come to OpenCulture 2014!

400 international delegates from 20+ countries discussing partnership opportunities

25-26 June 2014, Kia Oval, London

www.collectionslink.org.uk/openculture2014

Contact

Nick PooleChief Executivenick@collectionstrust.org.uk@NickPoole1 www.collectionslink.org.uk

Telephone: +44 (0)207 942 6080